I started this week at a little slice of life. Rebecca is amazing in her growing, crocheting, cooking and dyeing. Oh did I mention spinning as well? I am often in awe of the depth of her talent.
1. Her madderdyed wool made me really get my rear in gear about doing more dying. Alum is ordered and I think I will be hunting up some plants asap.
2. Rebecca lead me to imagine childhood. I'd heard the shop mentioned before, but never had I visited the blog...check out the beautiful nature walks from all over the world. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. I love the nature walk in Tibet. Just stunning.
3. Imagine Childhood took me to the Cloud Appreciation Society website, who are "fighting the banality of blue-sky thinking". I am only disappointed that a dog is a member before I am!
4. The CAS lead me to the delightful website of its founder Gavin Pretor-Pinney the Idler...if I'd only known dawdling was a social movement earlier in life, Mr Fox would be eating his words when he said that I would get nowhere in life if I didn't finish my math worksheets!!!!
5. But the true gem of a find was the Idle Parent Manifesto, written by Gavin's Idler co-conspirator, Tom Hodgkinson:
THE MANIFESTO OF THE IDLE PARENT
We pledge to leave our children alone
We reject the rampant consumerism that invades children from the moment they are born
We read them poetry and fantastic stories without morals
We drink alcohol without guilt
We reject the inner Puritan
We don’t waste money on family days out and holidays
An idle parent is a thrifty parent
An idle parent is a creative parent
We lie in bed for as long as possible
We try not to interfere
We play in the fields and forests
We push them into the garden and shut the door so we can clean the house
We both work as little as possible, particularly when the kids are small
Time is more important than money
Happy mess is better than miserable tidiness
Down with school
We fill the house with music and merriment
We reject health and safety guidelines
We embrace responsibility
There are many paths
More play, less work
(Mom, did you know you were an idle parent???)
The article for the Telegraph on socks struck a particular chord...I have often repeated to anyone who questions my family's multi-coloured feet, "Life is too short to match socks". Its nice to know I am not alone!
Have a lovely weekend one and all!